Psoriasis historical perspective: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
Usama Talib (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
* There was a major advancement in the understanding of [[pathophysiology]] of psoriasis in 1960's and 1970's after [[histopathological]] description of the disease. | * There was a major advancement in the understanding of [[pathophysiology]] of psoriasis in 1960's and 1970's after [[histopathological]] description of the disease. | ||
* It was during the 20th century that psoriasis was further differentiated into specific types. | * It was during the 20th century that psoriasis was further differentiated into specific types. | ||
===Historical Treatment=== | ===Historical Treatment=== | ||
Revision as of 14:41, 23 June 2017
|
Psoriasis Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Psoriasis historical perspective On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Psoriasis historical perspective |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Psoriasis historical perspective |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Syed Hassan A. Kazmi BSc, MD [2]
Overview
Psoriasis was first described during ancient times and named "Tzaraat" in the Bible, which also included other skin conditions. At first, psoriasis, leprosy and other inflammatory skin conditions were though to be the same but with the advancement of medical science, it became known to be a separate entity. The pathophysiology of psoriasis was described in 1960's and 1970's after histopathological study of the disease. The application of cat feces to red lesions on the skin, for example, was one of the earliest topical treatments employed in ancient Egypt. Onions, sea salt and urine, goose oil and semen, wasp droppings in sycamore milk, and soup made from vipers have all been reported as being ancient treatments. Sulfur was fashionable as a treatment for psoriasis in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and has gained importance again in the modern era as a substitute for other treatments.
Historical Perspective
- Psoriasis is probably one of the longest known illnesses of humans and simultaneously one of the most misunderstood. Some scholars believe psoriasis to have been included among the skin conditions called "Tzaraat" in the Bible.[1]
- In ancient times psoriasis, leprosy and other inflammatory skin conditions were thought to bet the same entity.
- The Greeks used the term lepra (λεπρα) for scaly skin conditions. They used term "psora" to describe itchy skin conditions. It became known as Willan's lepra in the late 18th century when English dermatologists Robert Willan and Thomas Bateman differentiated it from other skin diseases. They assigned names to the condition based on the appearance of lesions.
- It was only in the 19th century that psoriasis was described as a separate disease, after clinical descriptions separated it from other conditions.
- While it may have been visually, and later semantically, confused with leprosy it was not until 1841 that the condition was finally given the name psoriasis by the Viennese dermatologist Ferdinand von Hebra. The name is derived from the Greek word psora which means to itch.[2]
- There was a major advancement in the understanding of pathophysiology of psoriasis in 1960's and 1970's after histopathological description of the disease.
- It was during the 20th century that psoriasis was further differentiated into specific types.
Historical Treatment
- The history of psoriasis is littered with treatments of dubious effectiveness and high toxicity. These treatments received brief popularity at particular time periods or within certain geographical regions.
- The application of cat feces to red lesions on the skin, for example, was one of the earliest topical treatments employed in ancient Egypt. Onions, sea salt and urine, goose oil and semen, wasp droppings in sycamore milk, and soup made from vipers have all been reported as being ancient treatments.
- In the more recent past Fowler's solution, which contains a poisonous and carcinogenic arsenic compound, was used by dermatologists as a treatment for psoriasis during the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Grenz Rays (also called ultrasoft X-rays or Bucky rays) was a popular treatment of psoriasis during the middle of the 20th century. This type of therapy was superseded by ultraviolet therapy.
- Undecylenic acid was investigated and used for psoriasis some 40 years ago.[3]
- Sulfur was fashionable as a treatment for psoriasis in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. It has recently re-gained some credibilty as a safe alternative to steroids and coal tar.
References
- ↑ Shai A, Vardy D, Zvulunov A (2002). "[Psoriasis, biblical afflictions and patients' dignity]". Harefuah (in Hebrew). 141 (5): 479–82, 496. PMID 12073533.
- ↑ Glickman FS (1986). "Lepra, psora, psoriasis". J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 14 (5 Pt 1): 863–6. PMID 3519699.
- ↑ Ereaux L, Craig G (1949). "The Oral Administration Of Undecylenic Acid In The Treatment Of Psoriasis" (PDF). Canad. M. A. J. 61: 361–4. Retrieved 2007-01-05. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - see page 4/364 of link